Raising a pet should we or should we not?

S been wanting to adopt a pet and has been talking about it for past 6 mths. So far he wants to get a dog, bird, miniature pig, duck lol! No cats though since he is allergic to it. He kept convincing me it will be good for the family, our kids (we have no kids yet, roll eyes) will nurture responsibility and care and the pet is part of our family members, that he will take care of it most of time apart when he's working (ya then i have to take care every other day isn't it) and he spend less allowance and use the $$ on them (at the same time, he also pester me to cut down my allowance).

I had yet to say yes as i know how much work it is needed to take care a pet even though i love animals. Playing and being responsible with it is 2 different issues. Sooner or later he will get his way, i just hope its later haha!  
 

shiba, very loyal and good for winter

Swans & Ducks back for winter!

S brought me to pond to see the swans and ducks. They are finally back! Seems like they only stay here during winter time to escape the harsh weather in Russia. To think that i already freezing here in Aomori, really can't imagine how worse it gets over there. I been telling S that if we stay in Hokkaido, don't think i can survive at all. I have a love/hate relationship towards snow, well.. more of hate. Sure it is very lovely and romantic to look at but clearing the snow pile or when you don't and snow become ice SUCKS! No fun at all!  

did u notice the young swan that greyish in colour?

all waiting for our food.. They are used to humans feeding them so they will approach us when they saw us.

so many of them! 

sorry no food this time! the stall was not open when we came

not sure what i am doing.. but i looked serious lol!

Blood Donation at Hachinohe

Had been donating blood for the past 1 year in Japan, always been wanting to do it. Back in Spore, whenever there's the chance to do it, i always seem to miss the opportunity. Its either they cannot find my vein or time required is too long since they are usually host around mrt areas but that's the time when i am rushing to meet someone or attend something. Since S has been an active blood donor, i joined in since i be waiting for him as well. Not sure how blood centre operates throughout Japan but in my area, its very well organised with nice facilities making people feel welcome to come again.  

The nurses and doctors are very warm and helpful and they have stamp card system so they will hand out tissue box or cooking sauce or snacks when you donated. I always stuff myself with all the snacks and drinks whenever i am there lol! But of course that is not the best part for me, the best part is receiving the blood test results from mail and they breakdown your health areas from your blood and you can compare the most recent few of results to check if your cholesterol level e.g to monitor how healthy you are. 

waiting area with snacks

free to drink vending machine and lockers to put ur stuff

lunch! okonomiyaki

time to replenish all the blood

my funashii slippers came yesterday!

Oirase Salmon Festival 2014

This year, S and my otoosan participated in the Oirase salmon festival this year. The weather is cold but thankfully there's sun.. seems like the winter is coming soon. Was about to dress only in sweater jacket and okaasan said its going to be cold. One look at her dressing with layers of clothes and winter jacket, i immediately change to mountain jacket lol. I am still bad in gauging the weather and what i should wear, when its sunny especially, tend to underestimate the harsh wind. 

Over the festival, ate plenty of food and okaasan made oden for us! Slurp we finished everything!  

oirase festival

salmon catching area

high school students with their booth

vegetable soup with mochi

tv station with local announcer filming the festival

doughnut with red bean filling. super delicious  

can u spot S?

caught it!

hmmm.. not as easy as it seems

my father in law! showing off his catch haha!

him n his catch

queuing to get salmon to be clean and cut

group of butchers 

salmon soup

My father in law's salmon fight for survival 

TV addiction

Been watching a few tv dramas and was hooked on a few. At least i have something to look forward every week!

1) Kyo wa kaisha yasumimasu (今天不上班)

http://www.didiaotv.com/2014/10/blog-post_17.html

Its based on a manga that the female lead has never dated before, never late or miss a day at work. Then 1 night she slept with 9 years younger part time colleague and started dating him.

The main reasons i watched because 2 eye candies!! Tamaki Hiroshi especially!! Am drooling every time he appeared and S will be asking don't you think we look alike? (eye rolling)

2) Subete ga F ni na ru (全部成為F)

http://www.didiaotv.com/2014/10/f.html

Also based on a novel, where professor and his student solve unusual murder cases. Usually i don't watch those japanese murder and crime type of dramas and for some reason, most of J-dramas are this type. Watched it because the 1st episode in the beginning was very intriguing, made me wonder why was it titled and i like Takei Emi.    

3) Liar game 

http://www.didiaotv.com/2014/10/blog-post_21.html

Based on the popular japanese managa and remade into korean version. I didn't read the manga so not sure how close drama is following the manga but it was quite intense and cunning. I love Kim So Eun ever since Flower Boys and recently she also participated in We got Married with Jae Rim as husband and wife. All the more to support her!  

p.s wo ha yo qi ta xi, ke shi bu ke yi quan bu jiang zu lai

food and snacks

Have been trying to watch my weight ever since i realised im heavier than my father in law. So far i managed to achieve weight loss but just barely lol! Really conscious about the calories on the food packaging and to avoid pudding, jelly, biscuits and snacks. I still can't say no to my potato chips, chocolate and ice cream but i had reduce the amount i ate and the frequency. A bag of potato chips would last me 2 weeks, ice cream i tried to buy those in smaller size or bite size so the calories would be under 100 since most of ice cream actually contain around 200 calories even those small cup type. Even carbonated drinks like coke, apple juice, i had try not to or reduce the amount i drink per week. I am still aiming to reduce my weight by 5 kg but its so hard!!!! 

my tofu hamburger i cooked

mini apples! the sad part was that it exploded when we left a few days to let it ripe.

my fav scallops and our own broccoli

super spicy and warning to try at ur own risk. In the end, indeed super spicy.... i can't eat it

Anime Event @ Misawa

Over the weekend, there was an Anime event held with cosplay competition and performance. Went down on Sunday to take a look. Those people that attended the competition came well prepared, seem ages ago when i was into anime stuff. When the performance started, those male cosplayers ranging from early 20s to 30s became crazier than everyone else and started dancing and singing along with the stars. I was watching them dancing along the steps more than i was viewing the performance itself haha! Its hilarious! They were so hyper and into the performance.  

S with famous local comedians 

cosplayer

more of them!

dancing along with the group 

Autumn @ Oirase Gorge (Lake Towada)

Made S drove all the way to Lake Towada because that the best place to experience the autumn in the forest. Came alittle late since lower half of the mountain, most of the trees were bare. Saw plenty of tour groups wanting to hike along the streams. Hence this time we went directly to the top instead of stopping over. It was a sunny day but the wind was freezing cold! Should have brought my hood and scarf!  Went to the shrine and i got a good luck fortune while he got a small fortune lol... He wasn't too happy about it ;p

Next we drove to Shingo village that's said to be visited by Jesus during his travels hence most of the locals were Christians. Nothing much there as it was a small village. I took over and drove half of the way back since he had drove 3 hours. But my driving skill really either too dangerous or too sucky..... all the drivers driving behind me kept a big distance between our car and him lol! S said the way i drove seem to be drink driving, super unsteady... keep moving left and right. sighhhhh......  

lake towada

so cold! the only good pic that i manage to capture the ferry

the shingo village roadstation

fishing area